Shock absorbent construction for athletic garments



p s, 1965 T. D. BARNES 3176,686

SHOCK ABSORBENT CONSTRUCTION FOR ATHLETIC GARMENTS Filed April 16, 1962 Fig./

Thomas D. Barnes IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,176,686 SHOEIK ABSQRBENT CONSTRUCTION FOR ATHLETIQ GANTS Thomas D. Barnes, R0. Box 1055, Sterling, Colo. Filed Apr. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 137,885 2 tllainis. (Cl. 128-132) The present invention generally relates to athletic garments, and more particularly to a shock absorbent construction for athletic garments.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a protective device capable of of aifording protection to the portions of the body enclosed therein.

Another significant object of the present invention is the provision of a device which will protect the enclosed portion of the body from being struck at any angle.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device which allows for a desirable circulation of air about the enclosed portion of the body.

Additionally, an object of the present invention is the provision of an athletic protective device which is easy to apply, comfort-able to wear, and readily disassembled for easy cleaning.

Likewise, an object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is inexpensive to manufacture, relatively simple in construction, and long lasting.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a rear perspective view of the resilient shock absorbing cover of the present invention;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a modified form of the present invention wherein the concept shown in FIGURES 1-5 is incorporated into a womans brassiere; and

FIGURE 7 is a rear perspective View of one of the brassiere cups illustrated in FIGURE 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and with specific reference to the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 1-5, reference numeral 10 generally designates the supporting and protecting device comprising the present invention. This device 16 basically consists of a cupshaped base 12, a resilient shock absorbing cover 14, and a network of supporting straps 16.

The base 12, as seen in a front elevational view, consists of a Wide upper portion 18, the sides of which are gradually tapered inwardly so as to form a relatively narrow lower portion 2t). As best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the entire base 12 is outwardly bulged thereby conforming to the portion of the body intended to be supported therein. Vent holes are also provided through the cup-shaped base 12 so as to allow for the proper circulation of air. In addition to the vent holes 22, the base 12 also includes two upper elongated slots 24 and a pair of parallel lower slots 26, these slots 24 and 26 being for the reception of various portions of the supporting strap network 16 as shall be pointed out presently.

The resilient shock absorbing cover 14 conforms substantially to the shape of the rigid base 12 and is adapted to be releasably engaged thereover so as to present a protective outer cover. The resilient cover 14 consists of a front face 28, a reversely curved lower edge 3th extending upwardly to approximately mid-height and being formed integral with the lower side edges so as to form a pocket 32 for the reception of the lower end 20 of the base 12, and, a reversely bent upper end 34 engageable over the upper end 18 of the base 12. It will be noted that the cover 14 possesses sufiicient resiliency so as to enable the cup-shaped base 12 to be easily inserted into and removed from the base by first introducing the lower portion 20 into the pocket 32 and subsequently stretching the upper .end 34 over the upper end 18 of the base 12. In order .to properly retain the cover 14 in position on the base 12,

a plurality of complementary snaps 35 and 38 are provided with the snaps 36 secured to the upper portion 18 of the base 12 and the snaps 38 secured to the reversely bent portion 34 of the cover 14. Vent holes 40 and elongated slots 42 and 44 are also provided in the resilient cover 14, which holes 40 and slots 42 and 44 are adapted to coincide with the holes 22 and slots 24 and 26 upon the positioning of the cover 14 on the base 12.

The supporting strap network 16, preferably elastic in nature, consists of a waist strap 46, two leg straps 48 and a crotch strap 50, the free end of each of these straps being provided with releasable snap fasteners 52 for attaching the strap network 16 to the base 12 and cover 14 through the aligned slots 24, 26, 42 and 44. In regard to the manner in which the strap network 16 is secured, it will be noted that the ends of the waist strap 46 completely encircle the edge of the base 12 and cover 14 while the free end of the crotch strap 50 is not exposed on the interior of the device thereby increasing the comfort of the device to the wearer thereof. It so desired, the waist strap 46 can be secured in the same manner as the crotch strap 5d, and conversely, if so desired, the crotch strap 5i) can be secured in the same manner as the waist strap 46.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a modification of the invention involved herein wherein a shock absorbent athletic brassiere is provided which consists basically of two cups 54 and 56 secured together by elastic straps 58 and an elastic centerpiece 66, all provided with releasable snap fasteners 62 on the ends thereof for releasable attachment to the cups 54 and 55. Each cup, :as illustrated in FIGURE 7, consists of a rigid base 64 having vent holes 66 and slots rs therein similar to and for the same purpose as the vent holes and slots in the base 12. The upper slot is specifically provided for the securing of a shoulder strap to the cup, a portion of one such shoulder strap being designated by reference numeral 70.

A resilient shock absorbing cover 72, similar to the cover 14, is provided on each cup with each cover 72 including a reversely bent lower portion 74 forming a pocket for the reception of the lower end of the cup, and reversely bent upper portions 76 straddling the upper slot 68 and being provided with snap fasteners 78 for releasable attachment to the upper portion of the cup.

While no specific materials have been set forth, and the invention herein is intended to encompass all suitable materials, the preferred materials in the construction of the present device consist of rigid polyethylene for the base, nylon elastic for the straps, and a cellular plastic for the resilient shock absorbing cover.

From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that a novel protection and support means has been devised which in addition to providing the necessary support, also provides the proper protection for the enclosed portions of the body so as to avoid any painful contact therewith while participating in various athletic events. Such support and protection is provided by the use of a rigid cup-shaped member covered with a resilient shock absorbing material which is releasably secured thereto and which additionally extends over that portion of the interior of the cup which is intended to directly support the enclosed portions of the body, the entire device being comfortably retained in the proper orientation to the body by the provision of elastic supporting strap means.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A protective support device comprising a rigid cupshaped base, and a resilient shock absorbing member removably secured thereto, said member including a front wall coextensive with the outer face of the base, a rear wall integral with the front wall and coextensive with approximately the lower one-half of the inner face of the base, said front wall and said rear wall forming a pocket for the reception of the lower portion of the base therein,

m and means releasably securing the upper end of the member to the base.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said shoes: absorbing member includes rearwardly bent peripheral portions engaged over a major portion of the exposed periphery of the cup-shaped base.

Refierenees Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

ADELE M. EAGER, Examiner. 

1. A PROTECTIVE SUPPORT DEVICE COMPRISING A RIGID CUPSHAPED BASE, AND A RESILIENT SHOCK ABSORBING MEMBER REMOVBALY SECURED THERETO, SAID MEMBER INCLUDING A FRONT WALL COEXTENSIVE WITH THE OUTER FACE OF THE BASE, A REAR WALL INTEGRAL WITH THE FRONT WALL AND COEXTENSIVE WITH APPROXIMATELY THE LOWER ONE-HALF OF THE INNER FACE OF THE BASE, SAID FRONT WALL AND SAID REAR WALL FORMING A POCKET FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE LOWER PORTION OF THE BASE THEREIN, AND MEANS RELEASABLY SECURING THE UPPER END OF THE MEMBER TO THE BASE. 